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Presentation on theme: "Convicting Those Who Contradict"— Presentation transcript:

2 Review Humanism is a religion Main tenets of humanismAtheismEvolutionRelativismAutonomy of manThese ideas are laid out in “The Humanist Manifestos”, I, II, and III

3 Review - Atheism and EvolutionFrom The Humanist Manifestos“Religious humanists regard the universe as self- existing and not created”“As in 1933, humanists still believe that traditional theism, especially faith in the prayer- hearing God, assumed to live and care for persons, to hear and understand their prayers, and to be able to do something about them, is an unproved and outmoded faith.”“As nontheists, we begin with humans not God, nature not deity.”“Humans are an integral part of nature, the result of unguided evolutionary change.”

4 Truth Is Relative Tolerant of everything but theism!From The Humanist Manifesto I“Humanism asserts that the nature of the universe depicted by modern science makes unacceptable any supernatural or cosmic guarantees of human values.”From The Humanist Manifesto II“We affirm that moral values derive their source from human experience. Ethics is autonomous and situational needing no theological or ideological sanction.”From the Humanist Manifesto III“Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience”

5 Humanist Ethics (Morality)From II“In the area of sexuality, we believe that intolerant attitudes, often cultivated by orthodox religions and puritanical cultures, unduly repress sexual conduct. The right to birth control, abortion, and divorce should be recognized.”“The many varieties of sexual exploration should not in themselves be considered ‘evil.’”“…a civilized society should be a tolerant one.”“Moral education for children and adults is an important way of developing awareness and sexual maturity.”[Civil liberty] also includes a recognition of an individual's right to die with dignity, euthanasia, and the right to suicide.

6 Man Is Autonomous From The Humanist Manifesto I“Religious Humanism considers the complete realization of human personality to be the end of man's life and seeks its development and fulfillment in the here and now.”From The Humanist Manifesto II“We believe in maximum individual autonomy consonant with social responsibility.”“There is no credible evidence that life survives the death of the body”From The Humanist Manifesto III“Life's fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideals.”

7 Key Humanists in HistoryHow did humans come to be?Charles Darwin gave a humanist answer to this question – EvolutionHow have nations risen and fallen without God?Karl Marx gave a humanist answer to this question – Marxism and class strugglesHow do we explain the obvious conflict in humans between the physical and spiritual?Sigmund Freud gave a humanist answer to this question with the conscious and unconscious

8 Humanism’s Goals From The Humanist Manifesto I“Religious humanism maintains that all associations and institutions exist for the fulfillment of human life. The intelligent evaluation, transformation, control, and direction of such associations and institutions with a view to the enhancement of human life is the purpose and program of humanism. Certainly religious institutions, their ritualistic forms, ecclesiastical methods, and communal activities must be reconstituted as rapidly as experience allows, in order to function effectively in the modern world.” (emphasis mine, edp)

9 Humanism’s GoalsIn other words, humanism wants to infiltrate and change all religious institutions to be more humanistDo not be deceived, YOU and I have been affected by humanismHumanism’s tentacles have reached to practically every facet of American societyEntertainmentGovernmentEducation (higher and lower!!!)Religion

10 Humanism’s Cause and EffectsFrom II“Free thought, atheism, agnosticism, skepticism, deism, rationalism, ethical culture, and liberal religion all claim to be heir to the humanist tradition. Humanism traces its roots from ancient China, classical Greece and Rome, through the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, to the scientific revolution of the modern world.”

11 Converting the HumanistMany humanists will fall into the category described in Romans 1:18-32; 2 Tim. 3:1-9; and 2 Thes. 2:9-12Do not judge, sow the seed!Here are some approaches to the plausibility of God (From Piloting the Strait by Dave Miller)Cosmological proofTeleological proof (design demands designer)Moral proofEvidence for the inspiration of the Bible

12 Cosmological ProofThe existence of the universe is itself proof of a creatorThe universe is not eternal and is degradingThe “Big Bang” does not account for matter being created from nothingThere had to have been an uncaused First Cause

13 Teleological Proof Intelligent planning is behind all ordered designNature is meticulously designed, and that requires a Designer, an Intelligent PlannerPsalm 19:1 and Rom. 1:20 capture this thoughtConsider the design of the human body

14 Morality ProofThat there exist such things as ethics and morality suggest the existence of GodThat human life is intrinsically valuable is evidence of the CreatorMoral decline historically precedes societal fallThe existence of a conscience suggests a creator.

15 The Bible Is ProofThe inerrancy of the Bible; it is free from contradictionsThe historical and geographical accuracyOne popular example is that of the HittitesThe predictive propheciesChrist was to appear during the Roman Empire (Dan. 2:44)The rejection and crucifixion are prophesied in amazing detail (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53)The unity of the Bible

16 Converting the HumanistMore practical for us is to work to convert the deceived humanistHow do we deal with one who does not know how much humanism has influenced him?Educate them on the origins of the tolerant, permissive attitude of our societyThen, help them to see the fact that absolute truth does exist

17 Relativism The only certainty is that there is no certainty“Keep an open mind”“Don’t be judgmental”Avoid labeling anyone as “wrong”“I’m okay, you’re okay”All of these attitudes foster blind tolerance for beliefs and practices that are not Biblical

18 How Has Humanism Affected Religion in America?The humanists have worked their way into the faculty of most every college and university in AmericaThis has trickled into the “religious seminaries”Examples of their influence on religionExplaining away Bible miraclesAttacking the idea of specific verbal inspiration of the Bible (the “new” hermeneutic)Lengthening the “days” of Genesis 1Separating fellowship from doctrinal correctness

19 RelativismRelativism is a self defeating philosophy! It is inherently contradictory!Does relativism apply to natural law? Are there absolute truths in nature?Relativism completely undermines all moralityIf everyone is right, then no one is!Where does relativism lead? (Gen. 19:9)